Townsville man stabbed ‘in neck’ with sword

An 18 year old man was stabbed in the neck in North Ward this morning on Cook Street, North Ward, Townsville.

A TOWNSVILLE teenager is in a critical but stable condition in hospital after he was stabbed in the neck with a sword on Thursday morning.

The 18-year-old was found by neighbours before midday after he left a unit on Cook St in North Ward, Townsville, and walked down the street.

Detective Sergeant Brenden Stevenson said two swords were located at the property, but police didn’t believe his attacker followed him down the street. Det Sgt Stevenson said initial investigations showed the young man was stabbed with a sword “in the neck region”.

“We believe a sword was used during this offence,” Det Sgt Brenden Stevenson said.

He praised neighbours for their help and said the teenager could have died without their assistance.

Det Sgt Stevenson said another 18-year-old man, believed to be the victim’s flatmate, had been taken into custody and was assisting police with their inquiries.

The Townsville Bulletin reports no charges had been laid but they were expected at some time on Thursday night.

Two men were being hailed as lifesavers after rushing to the 18-year-old’s aid and putting pressure on his neck wound. A neighbour told The Bulletin one woman who stopped to assist was screaming.

“I could hear the trauma in her voice, it wasn’t what you would normally hear,” she said

The man who was stabbed was taken to Townsville Hospital where he underwent surgery.